Rachel Reeves takes notes from Donald Trump as she admits Britain 'stuck in slow lane'

Her comments come as data shows companies are cutting jobs at the fastest rate since the financial crisis, excluding the pandemic period, following Labour's £40billion tax rises in October.

"Yes, I think we do need more positivity," Reeves said, urging businesses to speak up for Britain.

The Chancellor highlighted Britain's exceptional strengths across key growth sectors.

"We are absolutely fantastic as a country, we've got four of the best universities in the world. We've got some of the most amazing entrepreneurs with fantastic ideas," she said.

Reeves emphasised Britain's prowess in globally expanding industries.

"In all the sectors that are growing globally – AI, tech, clean energy – Britain has got unbelievable strengths in those sectors," she told The Times.

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"We shouldn't apologise for it and we shouldn't be all polite about it. We should be shouting from the rooftops."

The comments followed her return from the World Economic Forum in Davos, where she insisted Britain's best days were ahead.

Reeves took aim at "ridiculous rules" hampering Britain's infrastructure development.

She specifically highlighted the troubled HS2 rail project, where costs have spiralled out of control.

The Chancellor pointed to £100million spent on a tunnel for bats as an example of excessive regulation.

"We can't get stuff done in Britain because of these ridiculous rules," she said.

"Because of the views of a small number of people in the south of England – they don't want to see HS2 – people in the north will never see HS2 because the costs went up so exponentially it has to stop in Birmingham."

"We can't carry on like this," she added.

The Chancellor also criticised the current benefits system, describing it as providing "perverse" incentives for people to remain on sickness benefits.

"Some people need that support," she acknowledged. "Other people need to be encouraged to get back into work."

Reeves emphasised Labour's stance on employment and welfare.

"And that is because we believe that everybody who can work should work, and the way the benefits system works today, it does not support that philosophy," she said.

The comments reflect Labour's broader push to reform welfare support while maintaining assistance for those most in need.